musical musings from the frozen north:
torontopia, mont royal city and kawartha kottages

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Queer Songbook Orchestra – Anthems and Icons

Queer Songbook Orchestra – Anthems and Icons (independent)

This project is
exactly what it sounds like: a small chamber orchestra, with guest singers,
performing songs by queer composers—closeted at the time or otherwise—as well
as songs that have been widely adapted by the LGBTQ community. Sometimes the
choices are obvious, like k.d. lang’s “Constant Craving” or Melissa Etheridge’s
“Come to My Window” or Bronski Beat’s “Smalltown Boy” (sadly, the latter is not
on this debut album, although the QSO does a spectacular arrangement of the
’80s hit live). Sometimes the choices are not so obvious: neither Anne Murray
nor songwriter Gene MacLellan were gay, but there’s an interesting take on
their classic “Snowbird” here—because, why? Because for years people thought
Murray was a lesbian? Not that it much matters, as the arrangement here keeps
the song’s pretty melody but the chordal structure underneath it is jarring and
occasionally dissonant—which underscores the aspiration and longing and
distance between the narrator and the title subject.

Music is just part of
the mission for the QSO. They also collect stories and testimonials from queer
voices across Canada about how music was a source of strength and often a
lifeline when living in intolerant communities. (If you have one, they want to
hear from you: info@queersongbook.com.) The mere fact this
orchestra exists and is doing this work is inherently political; they are
working closely with the Canadian Gay and Lesbian Archives on their
storytelling project. Every song here is accompanied by a compelling story
either about the composer (Billy Strayhorn, Joe Meek) or a personal tale of a
queer person’s connection to the song. One track, written by Gentleman Reg, “Last
of His Kind,” is dedicated to the late Toronto DJ and activist Will Munro.

But the music is just
as interesting—often for what it isn’t rather than what it is. When Alanna Stuart
of Bonjay sings “Constant Craving”—and knocks it out of the park, by the way,
which is no small feat—the arrangement behind her is relatively conventional
and recognizable. On the other hand, the Etheridge song, in a lush arrangement
by avant-garde composer Nicole Lizée, is reduced to the sole lyric: “Just to
reach you.”

Considering the
breadth of material this ensemble performs live, and with so many guest
singers, it’s mildly disappointing that the debut enlists only four singers and
a small sampling of the material they already have arrangements for. But
there’s a lot of life in this project, and no shortage of interesting source
material—and incredibly talented Canadian musicians from across the country
willing to lend a hand. (June 15)

Stream: “Constant
Craving,” “Snowbird,” “Lush Life”

UPDATE: Full Canadian tour is on for this fall, from Whitehorse to St. John's